Q: Should I wait for the adjuster to see the tree before having it removed?

When a tree has fallen on your home or is posing an immediate threat, it’s considered emergency mitigation. Insurance companies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to protect their property from further damage. Delaying removal to wait for an adjuster can increase the risk of additional structural damage, water intrusion, or safety hazards — all of which could actually create problems for your claim.

Insurance companies typically understand that emergency work often needs to begin before they can physically inspect the property. That’s why proper documentation is so important. At Tree Off Home, we thoroughly document the scene with photos, videos, and detailed job notes to provide your adjuster with everything they need to review and process your claim — even if the tree has already been removed.

In short: protect your home first. Document the damage. Let the insurance process follow.

Should you get multiple bids to have a tree removed from your home?

Short answer:
✔ It’s not required.
✔ It’s not always helpful.
✔ Sometimes it actually causes more problems.

Here’s why:

1️⃣ Insurance doesn’t require multiple bids for emergency work.
When a tree has fallen on a structure, it’s considered emergency mitigation. Insurance policies typically allow reasonable and necessary charges to prevent further damage. You're not legally obligated to “shop around” while your home is exposed.

2️⃣ Delays can cost you.
Waiting for multiple bids may delay work, potentially leading to further damage. Insurance can later argue that failure to act made the damage worse — and that becomes your problem.

3️⃣ The cheapest bid often isn’t the best bid.
Many low bids come from companies that don’t have proper insurance, experience, equipment, or crane access. If they damage the structure further during removal, that falls back on the homeowner. The cheapest option may also create claim issues if the insurance company disputes the work quality or pricing.

4️⃣ Open-ended bids can cause headaches.
Some companies give vague or verbal quotes, which often don’t hold up with insurance adjusters. A properly itemized estimate (or thorough documentation after completion) helps support full reimbursement.

When multiple bids make sense:

If it’s non-emergency tree work (no risk of further damage).
If you feel uncomfortable with the first contractor’s pricing or professionalism.
If insurance specifically requests a second opinion (rare, but can happen).

Important: If your insurance carrier does request multiple bids, you are not required to hire the cheapest option.

Your responsibility is to hire a qualified, reputable contractor who can safely complete the work and properly document it for your insurance claim. The lowest price isn’t always the best or safest choice — especially when dealing with dangerous crane-assisted removals on insured structures.

Bottom line:

In emergency situations like tree-on-structure removals, it's far more important to hire:

A qualified contractor with crane access
Experience working with insurance carriers
Proper documentation practices

Q: What could go wrong if I hire the wrong tree contractor?

Q: Will I have to pay the bill out of pocket at the time of service?

A: At the time of service, the only thing the homeowner is responsible for is the insurance deductible—and only if we are the first company to perform work during the claim. We work directly with your insurance provider to ensure the rest is covered, helping you avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.

Lets talk numbers.

A:
There are two common ways homeowners get themselves into serious trouble:

Cheap Contractors Using the Wrong Equipment:

Low-cost contractors often cut corners by using improper equipment or lack the experience to safely remove trees. They may simply rip trees off or out of the structure with heavy machines, causing additional damage to your roof, walls, decks, or foundation. What should have been a controlled removal can turn into a much larger insurance claim — or even leave you responsible for repairs not covered by your policy.

Open-Ended Hourly Billing & Overcharging:

Some companies have you sign an open-ended contract based on hourly billing, leaving you fully exposed to unpredictable costs. If they bring in larger equipment or the job drags on for multiple days, you’re paying by the hour — regardless of how long they take. In the event of receiving a bill for $50,000 to $60,000, your insurance company may only pay $30,000 — leaving you blindly responsible for the difference. While not all hourly agreements are bad, open-ended billing leaves the door wide open for major financial risk.

Why hire TreeOffHome.com?

Because we do more than just remove trees—we protect your home, your finances, and your insurance claim. At TreeOffHome.com, we specialize in insurance-covered tree mitigation and provide fast, safe, professional service with full documentation for your adjuster.

Unlike many companies that leave you with an open-ended bill, we’re willing to put a clear dollar amount on the job up front. That way, you know what to expect—no surprises, no stress, and no situations where the “L” word gets thrown around (and no, it’s not love—it’s lawyer… and lien).

We keep it simple, transparent, and in your best interest from start to finish.